1st graders' performance of Village People’s YMCA cancelled after accusations of racism

A performance of the Village People's 1978 disco hit Y.M.C.A. by a group of first graders in North Dakota was cancelled after one parent called the portrayal of the Native American member of the group "racist."

The performance had been slated for a talent show at Fargo's Bennett Elementary school on May 6, according to WDAY.

A first grade teacher at the school had requested that the children come to the show dressed as the Village People; a policeman, a cowboy, a biker, a construction worker, or a Native American.

One mother, Elaine Bolman, said asking her daughter or other children to dress up as a Native American was offensive.

“I'm not in a position to do anything for these educators and hopefully those people that are can make the right choices so all students of any culture and race won't feel singled out or like their race is being stereotyped against,” Bolman explained.

Following Bolman's complaint, school administrators pulled the song the the program.

[David Hodo and Felipe Rose via s_bukley/Shutterstock]